Russia invades Ukraine again?

[blindfaith]

unbiased reporting on a russian ambush on a small column of 2 vehicles (brdm)

[Tero]

[Svartalf]

Interesting, now let's guess which sources can be trusted, if any...

[macdoc]

China offers to mediate

ne.
(CNN)President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that China is willing to "work actively" with the international community to mediate the war in Ukraine, but did not offer details and reiterated his opposition to Western sanctions against Russia.

During a virtual call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, Xi said the situation in Ukraine was "worrisome" and China was "deeply grieved by the outbreak of war again on the European continent," according to a statement from China's Foreign Ministry.
"China will stay in communication and coordination with France, Germany and the EU and, in light of the needs of the parties involved, work actively together with the international community," the statement said, adding that all efforts "conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis must be supported."
According to China's Foreign Ministry, Scholz and Macron said their two countries are ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Beijing to promote peace talks.
China and Russia share a strategic interest in challenging the West, but the invasion of Ukraine has put their friendship to the test.

more
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/08/asia ... index.html

[Tero]

[Tero]

[Woodbutcher]

I think China is chuckling, because they are watching the response to Russian aggression. Since the Russian threats of retaliation work, the Chinese will be able to annex Taiwan next, and North Korea will be able to take over South Korea with Chinese threats against those who would object militarily. What we need is an alien attack from outer space. I might even help them if the price was right.

[Tero]

How soon till the "take out Putin" mission starts?

[rainbow]

I think China is chuckling, because they are watching the response to Russian aggression. Since the Russian threats of retaliation work, the Chinese will be able to annex Taiwan next, and North Korea will be able to take over South Korea with Chinese threats against those who would object militarily. What we need is an alien attack from outer space. I might even help them if the price was right.

Meh.

China will be the biggest loser here. Disruptions in international trade will hurt China more than the US and Europe.

Russia wouldn't even matter if it didn't have Soviet-era nukes.

We in Africa watch with mild interest.

[Tero]

President Niinistö press conference:

11:56: Niinistö says he's not going to tell Putin in advance what he's going to say. He is asked about realistic ways to stop the plight of Ukrainians. Niinistö says that the airspace issue (i.e. closure) is related to avoiding escalation. According to Niinistö, it is an estimate made in NATO. According to Niinistö, the weights are very different in size. According to Niinistö, what matters is whether it is possible to promote peace. Niinistö says he has a picture that ultimately Putin wants to talk to America. "It's kind of the whole challenge for the United States," says Niinistö.

at 11:51: Markku Huusko, New Finland, asks about the referendum [NATO?]. Niinistö says that he only reads the constitution and therefore does not think he emphasizes the role of parliament. Niinistö says that he has stated at the time that the opinion of the people should be legitimately recognized, that the lost population would also state that the end result is understandable. Niinistö considers this situation different. He does not want to emphasize hybrid influence, as it can also affect Parliament. "Surely the impact would be easy to practice and target only certain groups." He says a large-scale poll could be considered. He links the matter to an EU referendum that was partly traumatic. "However, acknowledging that others disagreed is part of democracy."

at 11:47: Iltalehti's Lauri Nurmi asks about susceptibility to military action. Would it be good for Finland to have a basic security guarantee for nuclear weapons? Niinistö answers that we have good safe alternatives and, including Finland, needs nuclear protection. Niinistö says that ultimately it is a matter of nuclear weapons if nuclear weapons are threatened.

STT's Anne Kauranen asks about the departure of Finnish companies from Russia and what kind of hybrid influence has taken place by Russia. Niinistö says that hybrid risks are also investigated in the risk mapping. "As far as I know, there has been no hybrid influence in the state leadership," says Niinistö. "It may be hard to find a trace, but there are speculations."

at 11:44 a.m.: The poll section begins. MTV News' Vesa Kallionpää asks about the time window for reflection. Niinistö says he will not interpret the Swedish prime minister's statements. He says that the key is the party chairmen want to clarify the matter analytically for themselves and for Parliament "not without delay, but carefully". He says issues of this severity need to be taken seriously.

at 11:42 am: As a smaller pound, Niinistö points out that Russia has wanted to prevent NATO from admitting new members. According to Niinistö, this is something to keep in mind. He points out that in all discussions, NATO has adhered to its open door policy. Regarding Finnish-Swedish relations, Niinistö says that there has probably never been such a close connection. The prime ministers are talking to each other and Niinistö also wants to be in touch. “It’s an excellent thing that we are able to have an open discussion,” Niinistö says. "It describes that the relationship is in order."

He is set to call Putin today.
https://www.iltalehti.fi/politiikka/a/a ... 5b02cb9a50

[Tero]

[Sean Hayden]

I wonder how the protesting is going in Russia.

[Svartalf]

>There is no protesting, all protesters have seen the light and gone east to develop the Kolyma basin.

[Tero]

Somewhere here:

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-60685883

In his press conferenc Lavrov says that "no one listened to us" about Russia's security concerns.
He claims that "new facts" have been uncovered in the "liberated territories" that attacks had been prepared against these areas for months.

He says the Pentagon is using Ukrainian territory to develop pathogens that could be used to create biological weapons.
It is "no surprise" that the White House has denied this and that the EU and UN have said there is no evidence of this happening, because the Americans did it in "deep secrecy".

On the hospital bombing he says it is "not the first time we see pathetic outcries concerning the so-called atrocities perpetrated by the Russian military".
He says the Russian delegation told the UN security council three days ago that the hospital had been "taken over" by Ukrainian radicals and "all the mothers and nurses were chased out of there".

[Sean Hayden]

>There is no protesting, all protesters have seen the light and gone east to develop the Kolyma basin.